Shimano Tribal XTR Compact System Carryall Set

Before we get to the practicality and performance of this carryall let’s start with its looks. Just when you think camo has had its day, Shimano manages to come up with a variation on a theme that just hits the spot.

We make no apologies for mentioning this, as it’s the first thing any of us notice when browsing for new items of tackle. This camo pattern – leafy and slightly washed out – is, to our eyes, one of the best around.

Looks and performance in a very impressive package

But the XTR Compact System Carryall isn’t all looks and no substance, it’s genuinely practical. The zips are super tough, the stitching sublime and the materials proper rugged. It’s one of those bags you have to feel to appreciate its build quality, but trust us, it’s more than up to the rigours of a hard life on the bank.

As the ‘system’ part of the name suggests, this isn’t just a carryall. You get a total of 10 accessory bags to arrange Tetris-like in a variety of formations inside the massive central compartment. We reckon even the most fastidious angler will struggle to fill all 10 (two large, eight small) with terminal tackle, but obviously you don’t have to take all of them with you on every trip.

Two of the large (left) and small accessory bags that come with the system

The ‘lid’ compartment is cleverly designed to take buzzer bars and banksticks in a variety of forms, while two large front pockets are perfects for ‘odds and sods’. The side pockets are also massive and will take plenty of tubs of pop-ups and any other nick nacks you want to throw in them.

This is a genuinely impressive bit of kit that keeps all your gear perfectly organised.

The accessory bags fit in a variety of ways and each has a 'luggage tag' to identify its contents